With Savea, Jacobson and Tupaea all ruled out, Justin Marshall sees forced changes as an opportunity rather than a setback. His argument is essentially that New Zealand have shown the Boks enough over three Tests — now is the time to introduce unfamiliar problems. He backs Rieko Ioane to give Kriel and De Allende something different to read in midfield, Mo'unga to attack the line differently at 10, and Blackadder to add a new loose forward profile. The freshness angle isn't just cosmetic — Marshall believes the All Blacks are fitter than the Springboks and that the final quarter is where tempo, not physicality, should be the weapon.
The forward pack puzzle is the real crux. Marshall wants Vaa'i shifted to the flank, freeing up a bench spot for a second loosie and removing the need to carry a lock — a setup he thinks gives New Zealand a two-punch impact option late in the game. The lineout issues that plagued them in the third Test, compounded by Aumua's throwing limitations, remain unresolved, but Marshall's view is that solving the back-row configuration unlocks everything else. If you want the full tactical breakdown ahead of the Baltimore decider, this one is worth the read.